Made to Order Trail Mix for Your Child

Instead of sending your kids to school with the same snack day after day, why not let them create their own healthy, homemade trail mix? Who know—if they make it themselves, maybe they won’t trade it away!

What to Buy

Head to your local wholesale food store or a place like Sprouts or Trader Joe’s and stock up on nuts, seeds, grains, and fruit (only buy enough for one to two weeks so it doesn’t go stale). You know your kids’ likes and dislikes so keep those in mind, but try a few different items you think they might find tasty.

Bagging it Up

Pour the nuts, seeds, grain, and fruit into bowls and arrange on counter or table. Now it’s time for the kids to get creative. Let them fill up small Ziploc bags with any combination they desire. Suggest they add some items from each of the four groups below.

Nuts

Nuts add protein to the mix.

Almonds

Cashews

Macadamia nuts

Peanuts (unless peanuts are not allowed at school or in the classroom)

Pecans

Pine nuts

Pistachios

Seeds

Seeds also add protein, as well as minerals and omega-3 fatty acids.

Hemp seeds

Chia seeds

Pumpkin seeds

Sesame seeds

Sunflower seeds

Grains

Whole grains add fiber to the mix.

Cheerios

Chex

Popcorn

Pretzels

Puffed Rice

Toasted Oats

Dried Fruit

Since dried fruit contains a lot of sugar, don’t add too much. If you have a dehydrator, you can dry your own fresh fruit, or you can do it in the oven. Set your oven at 200 degrees, place the fruit on a baking tray, and bake for about six hours. (Depending on the fruit, it may take more or less time so keep an eye on it.)

Apple

Apricot

Banana

Blueberries

Cherries

Cranberries

Fig

Lemon

Orange

Pineapple

Raisins

Strawberries

Sweets

These treats are optional and probably best reserved for special occasions.

Butterscotch chips

Chocolate chips

M&M’s

Mini marshmallows

Peanut chips

Toasted Coconut

Yogurt covered raisins or craisins

Let me know if there are any favorite items or combinations I left out!